SR0897 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0897 LRB099 14051 MST 38075 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Prince Hearns, Jr. of Rockford, who passed away on August 17, 2015; and

WHEREAS, Prince Hearns, Jr. graduated from Harlem High School in 1960; he served in the Marine Corps and married Mary Byrd, a fellow Marine; and

WHEREAS, Prince Hearns, Jr. retired in 1997 after 25 years as a Winnebago County Sheriffs deputy; he was the first black patrol sergeant in Winnebago County; and

WHEREAS, Prince Hearns, Jr. played semiprofessional football until he was 46; he played defensive end for the Rockford Rams, the city's first professional football team, earning a semipro Super Bowl ring in 1987; he was inducted into the American Football Association Semi-Pro Hall of Fame in 1986; he was also an avid equestrian and a powerful softball slugger in competitive recreational leagues around town; and

WHEREAS, Prince Hearns, Jr. is survived by his wife of 51 years, Mary; his 3 sons, Prince III, Jason, and Brandon; his sisters, Freddie Mae Jackson and Ella Mae Jones; and his 8 grandchildren; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Prince Hearns, Jr., and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Prince Hearns, Jr. as an expression of our deepest sympathy.